حسین شعبانعلی فمی

Food insecurity is a major global development challenge, requiring investment in agriculture, poverty reduction, and conservation of natural resources to ensure universal access to food. This study aimed to identify and analyze the linkages between key food and water security components. The target population included experts in food and water security, particularly faculty members and practitioners, with 15 participants selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire, validated by agricultural management and development experts at the University of Tehran, and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach alpha coefficient. The DEMATEL technique was used for data analysis. Results revealed that the sustainability of water access had the greatest impact on other water and food security components, while food consumption had the least influence. Food availability was identified as the most influenced component, Economic access to water was the least influenced. The sustainability of food access was highlighted as the most critical factor for improving food security. The study emphasizes sustainable natural resource management, investment in innovative technologies, and increased resilience to climate change to enhance water and food security. Additionally, economic policies should be designed to improve the economic capacity for water and food access, particularly for low-income groups. These measures can foster more sustainable and equitable systems in water and food security.

Water security means ensuring sustainable access to sufficient and safe water for various uses, while population growth and increased consumption have put pressure on water resources. This research examines key strategies for maintaining water security by focusing on its fundamental components. The study population consisted of experts from the Agricultural Jihad Organization of Lorestan Province, totaling approximately 130 individuals, from which a sample size of 97 was estimated using Krejcie and Morgan's table. The research tool was a two-part questionnaire: one part included the demographic characteristics of respondents, and the other part pertained to the main components of water security, with indicators provided for each component. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by professors from the Department of Agricultural Management and Development at the University of Tehran, and its reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Data analysis was performed using Smart PLS3 software. The results showed that the consumption component had the greatest impact on water security with a path coefficient of 0.769, followed by the economic capacity to supply water with a coefficient of 0.706, the sustainability or continuity of water access with 0.657, the availability of water resources with 0.593, and the physical access to water with 0.592. Given the importance of these five components of water security for preserving water resources, proposed strategies include improving water consumption management methods, adopting modern irrigation techniques, and investing in water infrastructure to ensure sustainable access to water.

 In recent years, the collection of medicinal plants from rangelands in the Saral region of Divandarreh County, Kurdistan Province, has become an increasingly important livelihood strategy for rural communities. Although this activity contributes to household income, there remains a limited and often unclear understanding of its actual impact on the livelihoods of beneficiary households, as well as the challenges they encounter. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to assess the extent of the activity’s impact on rural livelihoods and to identify the key challenges associated with medicinal plant collection in the region, to propose appropriate strategies for sustainable development in this sector. This research employed a survey-based approach, with the statistical population comprising all rural households in the Saral region of Divandarreh County, totaling 2,519 households. Using Cochran's formula, a sample of 206 household heads was selected through stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. Data was collected from these beneficiaries using structured questionnaires. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through expert review, while its reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Coefficients exceeding the 0.70 threshold indicated that the measurement tools used for the study variables were sufficiently reliable. Descriptive data analysis was conducted using mean values and the coefficient of variation. Descriptive statistical findings showed that 70% of the beneficiaries had an average age of 35 years, and their average experience in harvesting medicinal plants from rangelands was 4.65 years. The most common sales method was cash transactions with intermediaries, accounting for 43.5% of the total sales. In terms of harvest frequency, the top three medicinal plants collected were Ferula spp. (Kama), Thymus spp. (Avishan), and Mentha pulegium (Pooneh), while Achillea millefolium (Gole Maraneh), Hypericum perforatum (Alaf Chy) and Salvia officinalis (Maryam Gloe) were among the least harvested. Regarding income-generating potential (measured in thousand rials per liter or kilogram of product), Descurainia Sophia (1,097.60), Thymus spp. (794.89), and Mentha pulegium (506.99) had the highest average values, whereas Cichorium intybus (240.93), Achillea millefolium (214.19), and Salvia officinalis (117.53) had the lowest. The prioritization of challenges related to medicinal plant collection in the Saral region identified the following as the most pressing issues: (1) economic and livelihood pressures leading to overharvesting, (2) the risk of extinction of certain medicinal plant species due to excessive harvesting, and (3) reliance on local community motivation to prevent harvesting by non-local individuals. Moreover, beneficiaries' prioritization of strategies to enhance rural livelihoods, through sustainable medicinal plant collection, highlighted three key approaches: (1) developing grassroots organizations such as cooperatives and NGOs; (2) expanding public education on the importance of conserving natural resources as national and communal assets during collection; and (3) delegating oversight of medicinal plant collection to local communities to enable structured and limited resource management. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the springtime collection of medicinal plants in the Saral region has a limited positive impact on household livelihoods. The absence of proper training and awareness regarding sustainable harvesting methods, combined with the issue of overharvesting, has resulted in negative consequences that outweigh the potential benefits. The analysis of livelihood improvement strategies revealed that the most critical approaches include the development of cooperatives and NGOs, the expansion of public education focused on protecting natural resources, and the delegation of oversight for medicinal plant collection to local communities. These strategies are essential for enhancing the sustainability of medicinal plant harvesting and improving rural livelihoods in the region.

Food security, a cornerstone of sustainable development, refers to consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for an active and healthy life. It is particularly critical in rural areas of developing countries, where households face heightened vulnerability due to reliance on natural resources, infrastructural constraints, and economic fragility. Resilience—encompassing stability (maintaining conditions post-disruption), adaptability (flexibility amid changes), and transformation (structural innovation)—provides a framework for managing food-related risks. Spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enables the examination of regional disparities in resilience and food security. This study investigates the spatial distribution of resilience among rural households in Kermanshah County to identify local patterns and provide a framework for targeted policymaking.

This descriptive-analytical study collected data from 239 rural households across five districts of Kermanshah County (Mahidasht, Bilvar, Central, Kuzaran, and Firuzabad) using a researcher-designed questionnaire. The questionnaire’s validity was confirmed by experts, and its reliability was established with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0/71. Sampling followed a stratified proportional method, with the sample size determined using G*Power software (effect size: 0/15; error level: 0/05). Data were analyzed using the VIKOR multi-criteria decision-making technique and GIS, with resilience maps generated via ArcGIS.

Findings revealed an average respondent age of 49/42 years and a household size of six members (two employed, four unemployed). Households owned an average of 4 hectares (ha) of irrigated land and 6/00 ha of rain-fed land, with a mean monthly non-agricultural income of 11,898,268 IRR and food expenditure of 8,802,521 IRR. Mahidasht and Bilvar districts recorded the highest stability scores (VIKOR indices: 0/17 and 0/50, respectively), likely due to better access to water resources and infrastructure. The Central district demonstrated the strongest adaptability (0/00) and transformation capacity (0/39), associated with greater livelihood diversity and stronger social capital. Conversely, Kuzaran and Firuzabad showed the lowest overall resilience (0/89 and 1, respectively), attributable to infrastructural limitations and heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture. GIS maps, using cold-to-warm color gradients, confirmed these patterns, with cooler colors indicating stronger resilience. These results underscore the importance of resource management and infrastructure in shaping resilience levels among rural households.

The study highlighted significant spatial heterogeneity in resilience against food insecurity in Kermanshah County. Strengthening agricultural infrastructure (e.g., efficient irrigation systems), diversifying livelihoods through non-agricultural opportunities, and promoting educational programs for smart agricultural technologies can enhance resilience. Spatial analysis with GIS proved to be an effective tool for location-specific policymaking, contributing to reduced food insecurity and improved environmental sustainability. Future research should include longitudinal studies incorporating climatic variables and innovative agricultural practices.

In various societies, including Iran, the increasing demand for food due to current population growth trends necessitates improvements in the food supply chain, starting at the farm level. Recent challenges, such as drought in food production systems linked to climate change, emphasize the need to enhance the resilience of farming units. This enhancement holds the promise of fortifying food security for farming households and brings advantages to other sectors within the society or contributes to national food security. Maintaining the hypothetical connection between the resilience of small farms and the food security of their households, this study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the food security of small-scale farming households in Hamedan province, placing a particular emphasis on the role of resilience. The research targeted active farmer households operating on small-scale farming units (below 10 hectares), with a sample size of 300 individuals determined using Cochran's formula. Cluster sampling was employed in two stages, and farmers were surveyed through researcher-designed questionnaires. The validity of the main research tool was confirmed by a panel of agricultural development experts and faculty members from Tehran University. Reliability was established using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and composite reliability. Data analysis was conducted using SMART PLS3 and SPSSwin25 software, revealing that food security was most significantly impacted by social participation, use of new technologies, and resilience of farming units. Based on these findings, adopting agroecological methods such as mixed farming, mulching, and socio-economic empowerment of farming families are recommended to enhance resilience and fortify food security

Rangelands worldwide are vast and crucial to the global economy and millions of people's livelihoods. However, they face serious climate threats, leading to their degradation, which has become a major environmental and social issue. One key problem is that livestock farmers in the grazing system are becoming more vulnerable to climate change. This research was conducted as a survey to investigate the challenges faced by livestock farmers in adapting to climate change within grazing systems in Tafresh County. Employing a quantitative research approach, 116 livestock farmers were randomly selected from a population of 901 for interviews, with 115 completed questionnaires analyzed. Data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis using the partial least squares method with SMART PLS3 software, confirming the model's reliability and validity. A 48-item scale using a five-point Likert scale assessed the challenges livestock farmers face in adapting to climate change, categorized into social, economic, and environmental challenges. The findings revealed that social challenges (β=0.822) were the most influential, followed by environmental challenges (β=0.788) and economic challenges (β=0.667), impacting livestock farmers' ability to adapt to climate change in grazing systems in Tafresh County. To enhance adaptation efforts, it is crucial to implement watershed and soil protection plans and carbon sequestration projects, promote collaboration, and facilitate knowledge exchange among formal and informal institutional stakeholders. Embracing innovative solutions is essential to strengthen livestock farmers' resilience to climate change's impacts.

Agricultural insurance is one of the most important mechanisms for dealing with agricultural risks and reducing financial losses and is considered a lever for agricultural development. This study aimed to identify and explain strategies for developing wheat crop insurance from the perspective of part-time farmers and agricultural insurance experts during the 2022 crop year in Kurdistan province. The study is non-experimental in terms of variable control, survey in strategy, applied in purpose, and cross-sectional in time, conducted at a specific point. The statistical population comprised two groups: dry-land wheat farmers (N = 67,486) and agricultural insurance experts (N = 309). G-Power software was used to compute the sample size in the farming community, based on which a sample of 165 was selected. As an assumption for this sampling procedure, farmers' opinions were utilized to characterize the state of crop insurance and assess the importance and priority of insurance development strategies. Additionally, 91 agricultural insurance experts and insurers were chosen as a sample by simple random sampling to provide their thoughts on insurance alternatives. In this study, the main data collection tool was a questionnaire with a Cronbach's alpha value of α = 0.7. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis regarding identifying and explaining strategies for developing dry farming wheat insurance indicated that, in both studied groups, the policy-regulatory strategies (β=0.945; 0.957), evaluation (β=0.844; 0.644), educational-informational strategies (β=0.844; 0.768), administrative (β=0.829; 0.829), and competitive-supervisory strategies (β=0.705; 0.519) were confirmed. Furthermore, a comparison of perspectives showed that, from the viewpoint of both groups, policy-regulatory strategies, with beta coefficients of 0.945 and 0.975, were the most important strategy for developing dry farming wheat insurance. Therefore, it is recommended that the government create necessary legal and executive frameworks to formulate supportive policies (such as tax exemptions and subsidies) and employ a participatory insurance model (public-private) while maintaining its role as a re insurer to enhance insurance in the agricultural sector.

Rural industrialization is a key aspect of economic diversification in rural areas, but stakeholders in rural development have diverse perspectives on this process. This study examines the different ideological frameworks of rural development actors and how they influence policy and practice. The lack of cohesive strategies for rural industrialization has led to socio-economic disparities and cultural erosion in rural communities.

This research used Q-methodology to analyze the subjective perspectives of 17 key stakeholders, including policymakers and local leaders. Participants ranked 40 statements on rural industrialization, leading to the identification of four distinct mentalities through factor analysis.

Four mentalities were identified: Cultural Preservationists, Industrial Integrationists, Anti-Industrial Advocates, and Structural Reformists. The study highlights the challenges in translating recognition of rural-urban differences into effective policies, with a focus on the need for context-driven approaches.

The study emphasizes the need for consensus-building mechanisms among stakeholders, localized models for rural development, and institutional reforms to address policy fragmentation. Future research should explore how global trends impact rural development mentalities and strategies.

Water management is a tool for decentralization, optimum allocation of water between consumers and reduce the effects of water scarcity. The main purpose of this study is to analyze the content of water management components in high-level documents. This study was conducted using a qualitative content analysis approach. For this purpose, the texts and documents of the 5-year development plans after the revolution and the water law were considered. The results showed that knowing the status of water resources and proper planning about the amount and timing of its consumption are important aspects of water management. The findings show that the government has the greatest role in managing water resources, and that the public and private sectors do not have a significant impact on water resources management. However, establishing organizations and groups is considered an important and effective step in sustaining resources and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of irrigation water consumption and agricultural production. Also, the findings showed that the organizational and administrative management of the water sector is more effective than the laws and policies of this sector on the performance of water management. This shows that there is a significant gap between laws and policies and executive processes.

The world population is projected to reach approximately 9.6 billion by 2050, necessitating the production of nearly twice as much food as is currently produced. At the same time, basic production resources such as water, soil, and energy are becoming increasingly scarce due to climate change. These factors have posed significant challenges to humanity in ensuring sufficient food production. One strategy to address and adapt to these challenges is the development of agricultural cultivation in controlled environments, such as greenhouses. Although greenhouse crop production offers numerous advantages, inefficient management of these units can undermine many of these benefits. A comparison of greenhouse performance in Iran with that in other parts of the world reveals significant inefficiencies in their management. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate effective greenhouse management practices in Tehran Province.

The present study was conducted as survey research. The statistical population included all agricultural greenhouses in Tehran Province, comprising 2,574 active greenhouse units. From this population, 140 greenhouse units were randomly selected as the study sample. The sample size was determined using G*Power software. Additionally, 17 expert specialists were purposively selected to identify optimal management indicators for greenhouses. Data were collected through questionnaires administered via face-to-face interviews. For data analysis, both descriptive and analytical methods were employed, including indexing and Importance-Performance Matrix (IPM) analysis. To evaluate the level of good greenhouse management practices, a composite index comprising 33 indicators across three dimensions (pre-production, production, and post-production) was utilized, with scores ranging from one to five.

According to the findings of this research, the average area of the greenhouses was 6,360 square meters, ranging from a minimum of 300 to a maximum of 38,000 square meters. Over 90% of the studied greenhouses were privately owned, 85% had single-layer plastic coverings, and approximately 70% faced insufficient access to water. In terms of automation, 70% of the greenhouses lacked automation systems. The average management efficiency index for the greenhouses in the studied population was 3.21. The highest value of this index was associated with the pre-production management process (3.61), while the lowest value was linked to the post-production process (2.01). Based on the Importance-Performance Matrix (IPMA) analysis, greenhouse management exhibited significant performance gaps in 13 identified variables. Addressing these gaps would enhance management efficiency in greenhouses. Key areas for improvement include the development and implementation of automation and smart technologies, adherence to domestic and international standards, proper product packaging, and efficient transportation to market.

A comparison of the operational and managerial practices of greenhouse units in Iran with those in other parts of the world reveals significant inefficiencies and low productivity in Iranian greenhouses. This study highlights that a major contributing factor to this issue is the inadequate management of various greenhouse production processes, spanning from pre-production to post-production stages. Furthermore, the study indicates that inefficiencies in these processes and related operations escalate progressively from pre-production to post-production. The findings of the study demonstrate that management practices in the examined greenhouses remain largely traditional, with limited adoption of automation and smart production technologies. This is attributed partly to the lack of knowledge and skills among greenhouse managers in utilizing such technologies, and partly to the fact that these technologies are not well-adapted to their specific conditions. The study also emphasizes that variables related to pre-production processes hold greater significance compared to those during and after production. Additionally, the absence of mandatory production and technical standards, as well as underdeveloped supply chains that could support greenhouse farmers from input supply to product delivery and sales, represents another critical weakness. This gap discourages the transition toward modern and intelligent greenhouse systems. Therefore, it is imperative for policymakers and planners in this field to prioritize the development of robust supply chains for greenhouse products. Addressing the growing food demands of Iranian society, particularly in light of the ongoing water and soil crises and other constraints facing the agricultural sector, necessitates the expansion of cultivation in controlled environments such as greenhouses.

CSA is currently viewed as a sophisticated and dependable approach to advancing agriculture, particularly in regions with limited water resources. This method has experienced a growing adoption and plays a vital role in securing food supplies, boosting employment opportunities, and integrating new technologies into the agricultural domain. Given the expanding utilization of this cultivation method and the necessity for targeted research and hands-on training to facilitate its progress, this study was conducted to explore the internal environmental factors influencing the advancement of this system.

This study employed a quantitative, field-based approach and conducted interviews through a questionnaire tool. The statistical population comprised vegetable and summer crop growers of greenhouses in Tehran and Alborz provinces, totaling 2060 greenhouse units. Sampling was carried out in two stages, with a sample size of 310 units calculated using Daniel’s formula and a five percent error margin. Subsequently, 270 questionnaires were filled out in Tehran Province and 50 in Alborz Province. Following data collection, processing, and analysis were performed using SPSS25 and SmartPLS3 software.

The findings from the inferential analysis indicated that in terms of human capital, essential human requirements for progressing the CSA system are significant. These include factors such as knowledge, skills, positive attitudes, access to financial and technical resources, market knowledge, and strong motivations. The study identified implementing new management techniques, consulting scientific experts, and exchanging knowledge with international professionals as critical factors. Technical capital emerged as the second most influential element in greenhouse development, with access to modern financial software systems and smart management technologies proving crucial. Additionally, training on advanced technologies is essential to enhance productivity and management. Financial capital emerged as the third influential component, with financial challenges and capital requirements for CSA being greater than traditional farming methods, particularly for small-scale farmers. Access to bank credit, affordable inputs, insurance assistance, and financial resources are essential for development and ongoing operational costs. advices include increasing producers' understanding of agricultural economics and markets and facilitating access to appropriate technologies to enhance economic and environmental sustainability. The study also emphasized the importance of productive social capital, highlighting the significance of communication with technical supervisors and agricultural consultants. While support from established farmers to newcomers in the sector was deemed less crucial, the development of social capital was emphasized as vital for the long-term sustainability of this innovative farming approach, as the key connections within this system are still in the process of being established.

Given the novelty of the CSA system, specific attributes must be adhered to by producers and users to enable the effective development and spread of this cultivation method. Enhancing managerial expertise, technical proficiency, and specialized knowledge, as well as increasing producers' awareness and understanding of the local, national, and international market dimensions and characteristics of this system, are essential steps. Additionally, fostering and enhancing intra-group relationships among producers and establishing trade unions for these producers to cultivate social capital is crucial for the advancement and dissemination of this innovative agricultural approach. Attention to these fundamental prerequisites is recommended to support the system’s development.

Today, despite the valuable functions of beekeeping, the economic status of this industry is still below optimal levels. Therefore, analyzing the economic status of beekeeping farms and the economic factors affecting their performance is a crucial step towards improvement. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the economic status of beekeeping farms and the economic factors affecting their performance in Fereydunshahr county, located in Isfahan province, and to provide suggestions for its improvement. The data was collected through face-to-face and telephone interviews using a researcher-made questionnaire during the spring of 2022. The sample size of the study consisted of 140 beekeepers, selected using stratified sampling from the total population of beekeepers in Fereydunshahr county (N=210). Multiple variable linear regression was used for data analysis. The results showed that there was a high level of heterogeneity in the average added value per hive in different farms. Furthermore, the significant economic factors affecting the performance of farms, including the variables of the average added value per hive (0.342), the beekeeper's annual income (0.301), suitable and modern packaging (0.270), average cost per hive (0.234), direct sales of products (-0.206), and processing raw products (0.169). These factors were able to explain 63% of the total performance variance. Finally, solutions such as the formation of an integrated system for adequate and timely distribution of inputs, promotion of technical and managerial knowledge based on successful farms, and the establishment of a contract beekeeping system are suggested to improve the economic status of beekeeping farms.

Today, food waste has become a global concern for sustainable agri-food systems. Leafy vegetables are among the products with the highest waste rates throughout the supply chain. In Kermanshah province, a significant portion of leafy vegetable production becomes waste annually due to various factors, including production problems, inadequate technology use, and irresponsible consumer behavior. Despite the high levels of waste in leafy vegetables, there is a lack of precise information about the location, magnitude, and causes of this waste. A review of the literature shows that previous studies have often focused on measuring waste and identifying its causes at certain stages of the supply chain or in specific geographical areas, mainly in developed countries. Therefore, the results of these studies do not reflect the unique challenges faced by agricultural supply chains in developing regions. In Iran, also, research focused on leafy vegetable waste is limited, and no study has yet examined the quantity and causes of waste in the supply chain of these products. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate waste in the leafy vegetable supply chain and identify its causes in Kermanshah province.

The main tool for data collection was a questionnaire. The research's statistical population consisted of two groups: the first group included national and regional experts and several actors in the leafy vegetable supply chain, with 60 purposively selected participants. The second group consisted of actors in the leafy vegetable supply chain, including farmers, retailers, wholesalers, processing units, and consumers (households and food services) in Kermanshah province. The sample selection for farmers and households was done proportionally using stratified sampling, and the sample size was determined using the Cochran formula. For other groups, a full census was conducted. In total, 728 samples were selected and studied (172 farmers, 83 wholesale and retail units, 16 processing units, 384 households, and 73 food service units). The amount of waste was measured using questionnaires based on the actors' perceptions of the percentage of waste at each stage of the supply chain. The process of identifying the main causes of waste was as follows: (1) identifying causes of waste at different stages of the supply chain through literature review and semi-structured interviews with experts; (2) determining the relative importance of causes using the Analytic Network Process (ANP); (3) assessing the current status of each cause from the perspective of actors using a Likert scale; and (4) calculating the final weight of causes by calculating the weighted average. Excel and Super Decisions software were used for data analysis.

The results of the waste assessment at different stages of the supply chain showed that 24%, 11%, and 6.5% of the leafy vegetables turned into waste during production, marketing and distribution, and processing stages, respectively. Waste in the household sector was 21%, and in the food service sector, it was 18%. The main causes of waste at the production stage were identified as lack of access to extension services, pests and disease control, and lack of access to quality seeds and other inputs. The evidence indicates significant barriers to farmers' access to inputs and supportive services. Therefore, targeted interventions to improve farmers' access to training programs, integrated pest and disease management education, and access to quality seeds and inputs play a significant role in reducing waste at the farm level. In the market sector, the lack of proper packaging facilities, poor quality of products offered, and lack of coordination and information sharing among stakeholders had the greatest impact on leafy vegetable waste. These findings emphasize the importance of investing in transport infrastructure and technologies (creating a cold chain) and packaging, implementing farm-level waste reduction interventions, and creating and developing information flow among stakeholders to reduce market waste. In the processing sector, the main causes of waste were identified as poor quality products delivered to processing units, lack of modern processing technologies, and inefficient packaging of final products. These findings indicate the adverse impact of actors' actions in previous supply chain stages and the weakness of technical infrastructure in the processing sector on the quantity of waste. In the food service and household sectors, the poor quality of products offered to consumers was identified as the main cause of waste at these stages. Other important causes in the food service sector were inappropriate food consumption patterns and inefficient food management. In households, a large portion of the waste was attributed to factors such as inadequate planning before shopping and purchasing more than needed. Therefore, providing appropriate training to modify consumer buying behavior plays a significant role in reducing waste in the consumption sector.

The results showed that a significant portion of leafy vegetables in the supply chain becomes waste. Among the different supply chain stages, the production and household consumption stages were identified as the most critical points for intervention and waste reduction strategies. Furthermore, the examination of waste causes at different stages of the supply chain showed that poor product quality, often attributed to undesirable actions and behaviors of actors in previous stages, was the most critical cause of leafy vegetable waste. Therefore, prioritizing waste reduction interventions at the initial stages of the supply chain can significantly reduce waste throughout the entire supply chain.

Apples are among the products facing the challenge of high wastage levels from production to preparation for market distribution. The present study aimed to identify solutions to improve waste management in the apple supply chain in Tehran province from the perspective of farmers. The study population consisted of apple producers in Tehran province (N=9310), and the sample size of 188 was determined using Cochran's formula. Cluster sampling was employed for sample selection. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire, which was validated and confirmed for reliability using expert opinions and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data analysis was conducted using exploratory factor analysis. According to the results, annually, 22% of apple production is converted to waste in the production sector. According to farmers' perspectives, strengthening producers' marketing infrastructures and skills, enhancing production and maintenance infrastructures, improving access to suitable financial resources and credit, enhancing knowledge and awareness among stakeholders, and organizing the apple marketing system are among the most important strategies for apple waste management in the supply chain as perceived by farmers.

Studies show that the increase in the rate of chronic food insecurity is one of the most widespread problems that humanity is facing in recent years, to the point where FAO reports that more than 735 million people are facing hunger and food insecurity. Therefore, reducing and eliminating food insecurity is one of the essential goals of sustainable development. In Iran, the three-year average prevalence of food insecurity indicates the existence of moderate and severe conditions of food insecurity, that is, about 40.8 percent of the total population. The importance and necessity of paying attention to food security and its evaluation and monitoring has attracted the attention of many researchers in the world. In the meantime, some of them drew a map of food security and insecurity and its spatial distribution in order to improve the food security conditions of the regions and make effective use of the available resources. In general, hunger and food insecurity are among the global social problems that create great challenges for policymakers and local governments. Therefore, in the present study, we seek to draw a map and spatial analysis of food security conditions in the study area, which will open the way for appropriate planning and policy making. In this research, an attempt has been made to analyze the spatial level of food security of rural households in Kermanshah using existing theoretical foundations and multi-criteria decision-making techniques.

This research is a type of descriptive-analytical study, the data of which was obtained by using library and field methods. The data collection tool in the access dimension is using a standard and researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed based on the opinion of experts and faculty members specializing in food security. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.79 in the access dimension, and 0.70 in the two dimensions of availability and access, indicating the reliability of the data collection tool. The statistical population of the present study was the rural households of Kermanshah city, with the benefit of the stratified sampling method with proportional assignment and Gpower sample size determination software with an effect size of 0.15 and an error level of 0.05, a number of 239 rural households in 5 parts of the city were studied. In order to stratify the parts of the study area based on food security and the purpose of the research, Vikor's multi-criteria decision-making technique was used. In order to analyze the data, SPSS and Excel software were used and ArcGIS software was used to draw a map of the food security components of the studied parts.

The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating and ranking the food security situation of rural households in Kermanshah. In this study, the average age of the respondents was 49 years. The results of prioritization of the combined index of food security have been reported and the existence of a range difference of 0.61 indicates the existence of differences and imbalances in food security in different parts of the city. Therefore, Central and Mahidasht districts were placed in the relatively food secure group and Kuzran and Firozabad districts were placed in the relatively food insecure group.

The results of other studies also indicate the existence of polarity in the conditions of food security in the regions. Research has shown that many factors affect food security, including urbanization, resource consumption, and climate change. Therefore, paying attention to geographical and topographical differences, production sources, access to the city center, and many other factors can reduce food security. The existing gap and the balanced improvement of food security in different sectors should be effective. In this research, the analyzed statistical sample had different personal and economic characteristics, which, along with geographical location and policies, etc., can be among the reasons for the existence and occurrence of food insecurity. For example, in the present study, 33% of heads of rural households were women. Paying attention to gender and its impact on food security can be useful because other studies confirm that when women's share of land ownership increases, the budget allocated to food also increases.

The results of Vikor technique show a huge gap and distance between the first sector and other sectors, and it indicates a kind of disconnection and imbalance in the city's food security. So that Central and Mahidasht districts are in the relatively food secure group, Bilawar district is in the moderate food security group, and Kuzran and Firozabad districts have the weakest performance in terms of the indicators examined in this study, or in other words, they are in the relatively food insecure group.

The cooperative sector has not yet attained its rightful place in the nation's economy, despite the plan to raise its percentage. Aiding in the eradication of poverty and deprivation has been one of the primary purposes of cooperative organizations. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to determine the main barriers to the growth of cooperatives in rural areas and how to eliminate them in the county of Savojbolagh. This study was a survey that employed a questionnaire instrument to gather data through in-person interviews. The statistical population studied in this study consisted of the villagers living in Savojbolag county of Alborz province and the size of the studied sample was 210 people. Structural equation modeling analysis based on partial least squares method was used to analyze the data in addition to descriptive analysis methods. The results of this study demonstrated that there are two primary categories of barriers to the growth of cooperative activities at the scale of rural communities: internal and external barriers. Twenty-six external and eighteen internal barriers were found in this investigation. The study divided the barrier solutions into five major groups. Based on the findings, the political-regulatory, economic-management, educational-extensional, monitoring-supportive, and infrastructure solutions ranked as the best respectively. According to results, the solutions that were identified and introduced had a statistically significant effect on removing barriers to the development of cooperatives, and the social and educational-extensional solutions are more effective than other solutions and should therefore receive priority attention.

Breeding honeybees to utilize their nutritional, environmental, and economic benefits has always been a concern for human societies. However, the beekeeping industry's performance is not currently favorable. The most fundamental action to achieve the desired status is to identify and analyze the current performance of this industry. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the technical performance of beekeeping farms in Fereydunshahr county and provide suggestions to improve their status. The data used in this study were primary data collected through face-to-face and telephone interviews by a researcher-made questionnaire in the spring of 2022. The sample size was 140 beekeepers selected using the stratified sampling method among all beekeepers in Fereydunshahr county (N=210), located in Isfahan province. Due to the study's exploratory nature, only descriptive statistics were used. The results showed that the average age of beekeepers was nearly 44 years, and all of them were men. More than 52% of the respondents followed beekeeping as a side job. The average number of colonies on beekeeping farms was 140, and the average honey production per hive was 9.7 kg, indicating an average level of performance. However, the production of honeybee by-products was not in favorable condition. Finally, suggestions such as increasing the motivation and ability of women and youth to enter the beekeeping profession, and increasing and homogenizing the number of colonies of beekeeping farms are suggested to improve the performance of beekeeping farms.

Nowadays, despite the undeniable importance of the beekeeping in different communities due to its economic, social and environmental functions (such as facilitating the pollination of plants), this sector is facing some challenges and neglected opportunities that have limited its performance and development. Hence, the current research tries to identify and analyze the challenges and opportunities of beekeeping in Fereydunshahr county and provide suggestions for its development. Data were collected with a researcher made questionnaire. The sample size was 140 beekeepers who were selected by stratified sampling method among the beekeepers of Fereydunshahr county (210 beekeepers). The results of descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis demonstrated that the supply of counterfeit honey and cultural and social challenges (12.67% of variance) such as the lack of space to establish apiaries and the improper use of chemicals in agriculture are the main challenges. Also, the natural opportunities (22.70% of variance) include the suitable climate and vegetation for beekeeping activities and the presence of high quality and abundant water resources near the apiaries are the most important opportunities for beekeeping in Fereydunshahr county. Finally, in accordance with challenges and opportunities identified in the beekeeping sector in Fereydunshahr county, some solutions were suggested in order to improve and develop beekeeping industry in this county.

The issue of agricultural product wastage poses a significant challenge to Iran's agriculture sector, particularly within the horticulture sub-sector. Much of this wastage along the supply chain is attributed to inadequate waste management practices. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop effective waste management strategies in the country. This study aims to analyze the strategic space of apple waste management within the supply chain of Tehran province.

This study employed a mixed research approach, combining semi-structured interviews and surveys. The target population consisted of experts in the apple supply chain, with 21 individuals purposefully selected for the study. Data was primarily collected through researcher-designed interviews and questionnaires. During field research on the apple supply chain in Tehran province, experts were interviewed to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the chain. Subsequently, the strategic space of the chain was analyzed using SWOT analysis methodology, leading to the formulation of improvement strategies.

The findings of this study indicate that the apple supply chain exhibits numerous weaknesses and threats, predominantly characterized by a defensive strategic orientation (WT) with a final weight of 0.41. Analysis of the internal environment revealed that weaknesses outweigh strengths. Similarly, external threats surpass opportunities. Experts identified the ability to maintain high shelf life of apples at the household level as the supply chain's most significant strength. Conversely, the lack of experienced managers and associates in value and supply chains emerged as a critical weakness, underscoring the pivotal role of management in enhancing chain performance and efficiency. The favorable climate for cultivating quality apples represents a key opportunity, while underdeveloped supply and value chains, along with their instability, pose significant threats. Priority strategies proposed by experts include increasing the export share of apples in the agricultural sector, training competent managers in apple value and supply chains, and enhancing and integrating existing organizations. Based on the prioritized strategies and the emphasis on defensive or fallback strategies (WT), it is imperative to adopt defensive measures to create room for implementing contingency and competitive policies, and ultimately growth and development strategies, aimed at enhancing the apple supply chain while addressing waste management concerns. Considering the current circumstances, the initial step involves establishing a sustainable supply chain and value chain, facilitated by collaboration among relevant government and private sectors, as well as stakeholders within the chain. This entails recruiting skilled managers and trained personnel to oversee the integration of chain structure and management.

Given the apple supply chain's weak points, the initial focus is on addressing these weaknesses to leverage existing opportunities and mitigate external threats. Recommendations include creating a sustainable supply chain, integrating relevant stakeholders, offering training courses on waste reduction and marketing, and facilitating export growth through macro-level policies aligned with product quality and market dynamics.act

Agriculture is considered one of the most risky activities due to its heavy reliance on nature. Agricultural insurance is one of the most suitable solutions to cope with the unpredictable nature of these risks, which can support farmers and ensure the sustainability of crop production in the country. Considering the subject's importance, this study's main objective was to examine the barriers to dryland wheat insurance from the farmers' perspective in Kurdistan province. The statistical population of this research included dryland wheat farmers (67,486 individuals) in Kurdistan province. The sample size used in this study was 135 farmers determined by G-Power software, selected through a simple random sampling technique. For data analysis, the Partial Least Squares modeling method was used through applying SmartPLS3 software. This research examined and analyzed individual-professional characteristics, the current status of wheat insurance, access to insurance, and barriers to developing dryland wheat insurance. The findings indicated that financial barriers had a path coefficient of 0.520, evaluation barriers had a path coefficient of 0.872, follow-up barriers had a path coefficient of 0.882, knowledge-information barriers had a path coefficient of 0.837, human barriers had a path coefficient of 0.603, regulatory-political barriers with a path coefficient of 0.906, and supervisory barriers with a path coefficient of 0.720 have a positive and significant impact on the development of dryland wheat insurance from the perspective of farmers in Kurdistan province. Among the barriers examined, regulatory-political barriers, damage follow-up, damage assessment, and knowledge-information barriers played the most significant roles as obstacles to the development of dryland wheat insurance. Based on the findings, it is suggested that to gain a deeper and more accurate understanding of the barriers to the development of dryland wheat insurance and to provide solutions for overcoming these barriers, a qualitative approach should be taken to examine the issue from the perspectives of dryland wheat farmers and agricultural insurance experts and agents.

The aim of this study was to investigate the level of commercialization of agricultural products the household farming system and the factors affecting it in Khalkhal county. This study was performed from the preliminary data collected using a questionnaire from a stratified random sample of 368 smallholder farmers. The Household Commercialization Index was used to assess the level of commercialization. A multiple regression model was used to estimate the factors associated with small-scale agricultural commercialization. The average household commercialization index is 39.94%. The results of multiple regression showed that the variables that significantly and positively affect commercialization are the number of available markets, membership in cooperatives, non-agricultural income, and amount of livestock production, crop production, and horticultural production. On the other hand, the variables that significantly and negatively affect commercialization are the age of the head of the household, production costs and distance from the market. This study showed that the farmers of this region are mostly subsistence. In order to increase the commercialization of smallholder farmers, special attention is recommended to educate farmers to look at agriculture as a business and equip farmers with marketing and negotiation skills.

Present-day challenges include the growing tendency of unhealthy food shortages in the market and environmental degradation. If properly managed, issuing the safety and health certificate of agricultural products can be a significant factor in resolving the issues brought up. The purpose of the current study was included all the producers in the country who had a license for certified products from the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture in 2021, which numbered 638 people.. 204 producers were chosen at random from this group to serve as samples. A researcher-made questionnaire was employed to collect the data, and in addition to descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis and coefficient of variation were also used to analyze the data. The findings of the research demonstrated that social effects are the health certification of agricultural goods' most significant effects, with a path coefficient of 0.868. The impacts relating to enhancing the production process (0.845), the environment and sustainability (0.819), market and export procedures (0.799), and lastly the effects relating to food health and safety (0.768) come after these effects. It is crucial for producers to build customer confidence in food quality (0.782) since it will have positive societal impacts. To do this, producers must improve the quality of agricultural products and create healthier items that adhere to international standards. However, the development of agriculture and rural communities can be aided by the establishment of small enterprises throughout the supply chain of healthy agricultural products.

Villages are extremely important in many developing nations. However, in today's world achieving rural development has become more challenging and complex. Since cooperatives possess the ability to mobilize local resources against crisis, they are suggested as a solution for enhancing social welfare and quality of life where agriculture is the primary economic activity. Nevertheless, the majority of rural cooperatives in Iran haven't experienced much success, and as a result, the current study was carried out to identify potential areas for cooperative development in rural areas and assess the level of covering these areas by existing cooperatives. This survey study used a researcher-made questionnaire that was completed by face-to-face interview method. The study's statistical population comprised the inhabitants of Savojbolagh County's rural settlements in Alborz province (115,096). G-Power software was used to calculate the study sample size (210 individuals). The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential approaches, including Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA), coefficient of variation, and frequency. The findings led to the identification of 37 different types of fields for the development of cooperative activities in rural areas (include the agricultural and non-agricultural sector). The average importance of agricultural cooperatives (3.57) was higher than that of non-agricultural cooperatives (3.37). In the group of agricultural cooperatives, the field of processing had the largest gap between performance and importance (2.57). Based on the IPA analysis, area (a), or the concentration region, contains all of the identified fields.

Food production in controlled cultivation areas plays a crucial role in increasing productivity and offsetting supply shortages. Product yields, water consumption, and energy use are the main parameters determining the performance of food production in a greenhouse. Smart technology is an effective solution to improve these parameters. This study aimed to identify the components, challenges, and requirements for the development of smart agriculture in greenhouses. Our case study focused on Tehran province, which encompasses a significant portion of the total greenhouses in Iran. The statistical population consisted of 20 subject-matter experts with research or executive experience in greenhouse automation, selected purposefully. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used in this study to collect data. First, we identified the variables affecting the development of smart agriculture in greenhouses by using a literature review and semi-structured interviews with experts, Then, the experts were asked to evaluate the cross-influence of the identified variables through pairwise comparison. Finally, data analysis was done using MICMAC software. The findings indicate that the identified requirements and challenges have had a significant influence on the lack of smart agriculture in greenhouses. Through network analysis of influence and dependence relationships, it was found that economic requirements and challenges, technical and infrastructural requirements and challenges, legal and regulatory requirements, and institutional requirements were the most influential variables in the development of smart agriculture in Tehran province.

Every year, approximately one-third of the total food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted due to various reasons. This level of wastage has substantial adverse impacts on the environment, economy, and society. Numerous studies have proposed various policies to address the issue of food waste, such as incorporating technology into existing supply chains. However, concerns about their effectiveness and unintended consequences have led researchers to emphasize market-based approaches for waste reduction. The present study was carried out to estimate waste and investigate the potential for developing different marketing channels as market-based approaches to reduce waste in the leafy vegetable supply chain in Kermanshah province. To achieve this purpose, a system dynamics modelling of the waste system in the leafy vegetable supply chain was developed by using the literature review and interviews with experts and stakeholders. The tool for collecting research data was a questionnaire. The statistical population of this study is two groups including 22 experts and 728 actors in the leafy vegetable supply chain. Based on the findings, around 31,000 tonnes (39%) of leafy vegetables are wasted annually across the supply chain. The research scenarios indicate that the establishment of processing industries will effectively decrease the overall waste of leafy vegetables from around 31,000 tons to approximately 20,000 tons annually. Therefore, government initiatives and policies in the field of leafy vegetable exchange in the study area must focus on supporting businesses associated with leafy vegetable processing industries and establishing infrastructure prerequisites for these industries.